Spanish Real Estate forum - Spanish property - Estate agentsSpanish Real Estate forum - Spanish property - Estate agents

ToniW · 02-25-2008, 04:37 PM

Can anyone tell me that they actually gain something from being members of AIPP?
Anything that you have to pay to be a member of seems a bit "discrediting" to me, surely they are not going to turn anyone away if they are earning money from it!
Also having to pay per member of staff? so if you have a team you pay more than someone who works alone ... and gain what extra?

Do the public actually know or care about these memberships?

I worked in the hotel industry for years and we had all these different acolades, but I am sure if it wasn´t for working in the trade I would not have known what half of them were about.

any comments ??

Richie · 02-25-2008, 06:01 PM

Hi Toni, its been a long time!

I have an agent that I have done some work for that is part of about 4 or 5 associations to do with Real Estate and professionals - he posts them on every website of his, on all his signatures, in his emails, where ever he can put them beside his company name - he will do it!

One it is a sign to the public that you abide by a set of rules, you work to certain guidelines and I suppose it makes people feel at ease working or buying through you.

Also with all the bad press about dodgy agents in Spain, it give the potential buyer that piece of mind that you are part of a professional association and you are not just selling homes from your home or a car!

Remember buying a home is one of the biggest decisions that you will ever make in your life and obviously you want the assurances that you are dealing with the right people, so maybe this helps?

I personally do not know IF these associations do check ups on companies, if they monitor their members in anyway - I don't know?

To me they are a sign of professionalism, trust and they make you feel as though it is a company that you can deal with, however - you could make up any kind of association yourself for your websites and who would know?

Good discussion topic this one...

ToniW · 02-25-2008, 06:06 PM

You have made some very good points and I can understand what you are saying... BUT... the one point that lets it all down is the not knowing if they check up on the agents or not ..so if i know that someone is working from a car or home and is a member of these sort of associations does this not knock the whole idea a bit?!?

Richie · 02-26-2008, 10:23 AM

I don't know the complete ins and outs of the rules set out by these associations but I would have thought that they would have to have some sort of base to work from, or I would hope they would have to.

Without looking and finding out I do not know, but I am with you on this one - it does sort of throw everything out the window a bit if they are working from their car!

We will have to look at their rules to find out the answer.

ToniW · 02-26-2008, 01:59 PM

anyone else got any thoughts on this - Homefinder?

ToniW · 02-27-2008, 11:31 AM

the fact of paying per person seems to be a bit of a rip off too.. ???

Richie · 02-27-2008, 11:40 AM

Mark from Casa Calida Properties has informed me that it is not as easy as you think to sign up to some of these associations - he said:

"The AIPP for example needs 3 years audited accounts, correct insurance and clear policies following a code of practice accepted throughout the world."

So some companies obviously care enough about the reputation of their companies and want to show potential customers that they are not cowboys and they have a lot of pride in their company and what they do.

So you see it from a members point of view!

ToniW · 02-27-2008, 04:57 PM

and do they check that you actually operate these "clear policies following a code of practice accepted throughout the world" if so how? surely anyone who is running a "legal" business, whether it be a good one or not can provide audited accounts and insurance details, this doesn´t demonstrate any level of competency or trustworthiness which is what I would be looking for?

Richie · 02-27-2008, 06:35 PM

This is something that you need to put forward to AIPP, I don't know if they do checks as they should do and if the member that you are talking about is breaking their code of practice then it is up to them to chase this agent up and review this membership.

Obviously I am not a member and will not be in the future, is there anyone else out there that can shed some light on this topic as we just seem to be going to round in circles a bit just me and Toni here?

Does anyone know what the rules are? And if they are properly monitored?

Would love to know more - post it here for us to find out!

ToniW · 02-27-2008, 08:44 PM

its not just the AIPP - are some better than others, more well known, which is regarded as the best, any association experts out there? is it possible to monitor the gains? should we be paying up even if WE don´t believe in it - because the public do? come on folks help us out here!